IPN, Where Republicans And

Democrats Co-Exist

To the Editor:

How do Republicans and Democrats find themselves ignoring their own political parties and creating the IPN? Why is Newtown one of the only towns in Connecticut with a viable third party? Why do Republicans and Democrats co-exist within this splinter party?

Near as I can tell, the reason for the IPN seems very straight forward. These Democrats and Republicans could not find support within their own parties for the Newtown school system. These individuals wanted more transparency in government and they could not find it in either the Republican or Democratic parties. These individuals were tired of seeing the same names and faces, year in and year out, running local government. This third party, the IPN party, has numerous ideas on how to make Newtown a better community, but it all started with supporting our school system.

The Republican website speaks of the Republican party making “data driven decisions.”

Given the school budgets of the last two years, let’s see what the data tells us. Two years ago, the Republicans and Democrats voted to cut over $2.5 million from the school budget. Democratic and Republican party leaders told us point blank that these cuts could be accomplished without laying off any school teachers. And last year’s budget was a rerun of the year before when over $700,000 was cut from the school budget.

So what effects have these budget cuts by the Republicans and Democrats had on our school system?

In spite of those promises made by the Republicans and Democrats, from the 2009 budget until now, we have laid off 27 teachers and educational assistants. During that time we have lost approximately 150 students. Let’s say the average class size is 22 per class, we should have lost seven teachers/educational assistants. Instead we lost 27 teachers and educational assistants.

During this period the IPN party has consistently fought for money for our school budget. These IPN party members are on our Legislative Council and our Board of Education.

Conversely, under the leadership of the Republican and Democratic parties, our high school has lost its blue ribbon status, school programs have been cut or reduced, we have lost the late bus, orchestra has been cut, Project Adventure has been cut, pay to play sports programs has increased from $50 to $200, and we have laid off 27 teachers and EAs in the last two budgets.

Please support more transparency in local government. Please support our Newtown school system. Please support the Democrats and Republicans who choose the IPN party.

Charles Hepp

4 Winter Ridge Road, Newtown October 25, 2011